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Religion: THE MEAT (GRAIN) OFFERING

(Thu Aug 16th, 2007, by Carl A. Patton)

Greetings Brethren:

In the Spirit of God, the Son (the Prince of Peace) and the Holy Spirit we do greet you. Thus the tithes and offerings were offered upon the altar and eaten. This was to show honor and respect to God. It was also the primary way to make amends for sin. Blessed be the name of Jesus Christ who came to remove the need for TITHES AND OFFERINGS FOR SIN.

Reflect on the coming Messiah upon the earth in the flesh. What did He come for? What happened when the Messiah went back to the Father? DID JESUS ANYWHERE RECORD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO OFFER TITHES AND OFFERINGS TO THE TEMPLE OR TO A CHURCH? PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE AND STOP LISTENING TO CROOKS AND CON-MEN POSING AS PREACHERS.

Peace, Carl Patton writing for the FreedomJournal December 15, 2000 in the year of our Lord. CHRISTIANITY: FALSE TEACHING, FALSE DOCTRINE TITHES AND OFFERING SERIES

PART 29: THE MEAT (GRAIN) OFFERING

In the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth

The second chapter of Leviticus notes the Meat (Grain) Offering. As a voluntary offering it was meant to show honor and respect to God in worship. This offering also acknowledged that all we have belongs to God. Meanwhile we see Christ as the perfect man, who gave all of himself to God and others.

Leviticus 2:1. "And when any will offer a meat offering unto the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and; put frankincense thereon:

The word meat in this passage means meal or a grain product. Thus throughout this chapter we find the description of a major sacrifice that was exclusively vegetable. "Fine flour" was achieved by taking a great deal of time to beat the flour into a fine texture.

When we look at the phrase,"and he shall pour oil upon it," we see the out pouring of the Holy Spirit. However oil (olive oil) had several uses. Olive oil was a prime article of food, and the bread was dipped in oil. It was used for cooking, for anointing and for lightning. Oil was also one of the principal ingredients for making soap (Jeremiah 2:22).

As we continue to explore and digest this passage of scripture in Leviticus 2:1 we come to the final phrase, "and put frankincense thereon:" therefore what is frankincense and what is incense? What came first frankincense or incense? In the definitive qualities of these two words we may find the answer.

Incense is the translation of two distinct Hebrew words that later came to mean the same thing. Incense is described as an aromatic substance made of gums and spices that are burned, especially in religious worship. Incense also noted a definite composition of stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, and was tempered with salt. (See Exodus 30:23).

The following scripture references further note the regulations that governed incense. Exodus 30:34-38, Leviticus 10:1-7, Exodus 30:9. The use of incense was common in the religious ceremonies of nearly all ancient nations and was extensively used in the ritual of Israel.

Frankincense is a resinous substance obtained from certain trees of the balsam family. Frankincense has been used as a perfume, as a medicine, and by Egyptians and Hebrews in their religious rites. Frankincense is noted in scripture as coming from Arabia (Isaiah 60:6, Jeremiah 6:20). There is also a reference to frankincense coming from Palestine (Song of Solomon 4:6,14).

Regarding offerings frankincense was mingled with the flour in the meal offering (Leviticus 2:1, 15, 16). However in Leviticus 5:11 it was rigidly excluded from the sin-offerings which was not an offering tempered with a sweet savor. It is also recorded that after the birth of Jesus, the wise men presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:11,15).

As we return to Leviticus 2:1 we note that this offering accompanied all burnt offerings and was a gift of thanks to God. It reminded the people that food came from God and without God they would not have life. As we move through this chapter, we will see the following meat offerings listed: 1. Fine flour with oil and frankincense. 2. Baked cakes or wafers of fine flour and oil. 3. Roasted Kernels of grain (corn) with oil and frankincense.

There are several other factors that are very important in an understanding of the scripture noted in Leviticus 2. The absence of leaven revealed and symbolized the absence of sin. Oil symbolized God's presence. Also part of the meat offering was burned on the altar as a gift to God, and the rest was eaten by the Priests. This offering as did the other offerings help support them in their work.

Leviticus 2:11. "No meat offering, which shall bring unto the Lord, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the Lord made by fire."

In order to understand why leaven was not allowed in the meat offering we will define leaven. Leaven which is yeast is a bacterial fungus or mold, this is the active ingredient in leaven. Yeast therefore is an appropriate symbol for sin. Meanwhile we note that a little yeast can affect the whole loaf of bread, just as a little sin can ruin a whole life. (See Matthew 16:6, Mark 8:15, Jesus talks abut the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees). Honey was also excluded, it represented natural sweetness.

Leviticus 2:13. "And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt."

Salt is the final ingredient which was included in the meal offering. Salt is a preservative and is the opposite of leaven. Offerings when seasoned with salt remind the people of the covenant (contract) with God.

In Arab countries an agreement was sealed with a gift of salt to show the strength and permanence of the contract. Believers are called "the salt of the earth." (Matthew 5:13).

About the Author

Peace be unto you.